EXCLUSIVE: Australia has produced talented managers who’ve made their mark at World Cups, Club World Cups, Asian Champions Leagues, A-Leagues, NSLs and Asian Cups – we rate them from ten to one. But this was no easy task as most if not all managers found success in different competitions over different times with differing sets of squads – and resources – at their disposal. It was tough to lock down the final ten with some well-known names just missing out. So here it is… but what do you think?
3: Tommy Sermanni
Two consecutive World Cup quarter-final finishes and a stunning Asian Cup title – the first in history - all in the last four years. Not a bad record of success for the former NSL player who has overseen a revolution with the Aussie women’s game in recent years.
As the Matildas now move into the world’s top ten rankings, Sermanni’s contribution is worth rating. He has the side playing a technically superior, modern style of game. And he took the bold step of pledging his faith and confidence in an inexperienced group of players with his latest World Cup squad.
And this vision for the future was highlighted perfectly with prodigiously talented Caitlin Foord winning FIFA’s gong for best young player at the 2011 Germany World Cup – a player who Sermanni picked despite her lack of experience who went on to play in all four World Cup games.
But winning the Asian Cup last year was probably his greatest achievement for this manager with the Midas touch. But can he now win Olympics Gold?
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